Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 12 The Prefect Hosts a Banquet
After breakfast, Xiaodie deliberately avoided Zhulou and Luoluo, went out from the corner gate, and went straight to Zhao's house.

Xiaodie is only sixteen or seventeen years old this year, in the prime of her life. Although she wears a straw hairpin and a cloth skirt and has not put on any makeup, she has a natural charm.

"My young lady, remembering your kindness, has specially instructed me to return the silver to Mr. Zhao."

"This package contains a pair of knee pads. I heard that you will be going to Beijing to take the imperial examinations after the New Year, so I specially sewed them for you."

"The weather in Bianjing is not as good as that in Yangzhou. The spring examination period is a time of late spring cold, so it is very cold. I hope you will accept it."

Zhao Han took the knee pads from Xiaodie's hand. At first glance, he saw that the stitching was fine and even. The outer layer was indigo coarse cloth, and the inner layer was lined with soft cotton wool. The edges were also locked with dark cotton thread, which was enough to show that Wei Xiaoniang had put a lot of effort into it.

"Please ask Miss Xiaodie to tell Wei Xiaoniang that Zhao has taken note of this kind gesture."

Xiaodie's eyes were like stars and she smiled.

"If it weren't for you, I would have been expelled from the Sheng Mansion. I really don't know how to repay this kindness."

Zhao Han said softly, "It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

"Miss Xiaodie, you better be more vigilant in the future. It's easy to dodge an open attack, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark."

He knew that Lin Qinshuang would not give up. In her eyes, Wei Xiaoniang was her biggest enemy.

If you want to get rid of Wei Xiaoniang, you must start with Xiaodie.

It can be said that its wings are plucked out, its escape route is cut off, its body is imprisoned, and then it is boiled in warm water!
Xiaodie nodded repeatedly, "I've made a note of this. Miss Lin has been sending gifts to our courtyard like water today, and she even specifically instructed the kitchen to take good care of Miss Lin's meals in the future. Now that the Master has spoken, I think she should be able to rest for a while."

Zhao Han frowned, and the words "big fetus and difficult birth" suddenly popped up in his mind.

"Has a doctor come to your house recently to check Miss Wei's pulse?"

Xiaodie noticed that Zhao Han looked a little strange, and immediately said, "The doctor came here three days ago. He just said that the baby seems to be in good condition and there is nothing wrong."

After thinking for a while.

Zhao Han said, "You might as well go to the doctor secretly to ask for clarification. If there is really nothing wrong, you can rest assured."

Xiaodie nodded rapidly. Since it concerned Wei Xiaoniang's safety, she dared not be vague at all.

It is almost the end of the year, and several important things have happened during this period.

First, Zhao Han and Hua Lan had already exchanged engagement letters, and the marriage was settled from then on.

Secondly, Sheng Hong was about to be promoted to the fifth rank Chengzhilang and had already received the imperial edict issued by the Ministry of Personnel. He only had to wait for the new Tongpan to come to Yangzhou and hand over the official duties at hand before he and his family could move to Bianliang.

The second was that the old man of the Bai family passed away, and his nephew Bai Tingyu led the clan members to hold a funeral ceremony for him.

During his lifetime, Old Master Bai made many friends and was a good businessman. There was an endless stream of wealthy businessmen, gentry and officials who came to pay their respects.

It is rare for the sun to shine brightly in the dead of winter.

Today, the governor of Yangzhou, Zheng Xian, specially set up a banquet in his villa on the outskirts of the city, inviting all the major officials of Yangzhou to come and practice for the candidates who will soon go to Beijing to take part in the imperial examination.

It is not difficult to see that Lord Zheng's move is more to win over the hearts of the people so that they can look after each other when they serve as officials in the same court in the future.

Zhao Han ranked among the top in the provincial examination, so naturally he received the invitation early on.

The banquet was held in the warm room, with seasonal fresh fruits and exquisite dishes displayed on the table, and several singing and dancing girls from the Jiaofangsi were there to add to the fun.

"You are all talented people from Yangzhou. You will surely pass the imperial examination when you come to Beijing."

Lord Zheng looked at the group of ambitious candidates, raised his glass and smiled, with fine lines forming at the corners of his eyes, he exuded an elegant demeanor.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Excellency. We will certainly do our utmost to live up to your expectations." A scholar in a long, wide-sleeved robe stood up, cupped his hands, and spoke in a clear voice. Scholars and officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty often addressed each other as "Your Excellency" to show respect.

A chorus of agreement followed at the table, and everyone raised their glasses to toast each other. For a moment, the candlelight in the warm room flickered, and the whole room was illuminated.

Sheng Hong is the magistrate of Yangzhou and will be promoted to Beijing soon, so he is naturally indispensable to today's banquet.

"Master Sheng is about to be promoted, and he has found a good husband. What a double blessing! Congratulations!"

"If my daughter hadn't been engaged last year, she would have definitely competed with you for one!"

Mr. Chu, the magistrate of Yangzhou, looked at Sheng Hong with a smile, his eyes full of envy.

Sheng Hong's face was naturally flushed. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. He said modestly, "Master Chu, you are joking. When my daughter gets married, Master Chu must come to drink a glass of wedding wine."

"sure!"

Lord Chu waved his hand and turned to flatter the other officials.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, whispering to Zhao Han, "My dear son-in-law, if we calculate the time, your aunt and I should be in Bianjing by the end of the Spring Examination."

Although they had not yet officially married, Sheng Hong already regarded Zhao Han as his good son-in-law.

Zhao Han cupped his hands and said, "I will personally go to greet my uncle and aunt when the time comes."

Sheng Hong showed a look of satisfaction, and just as he was about to take Zhao Han to have a long talk with the prefect.

Suddenly, a burst of laughter was heard not far away.

"What year did you pass the imperial examination? Why does it take you so long to write a poem about plum blossoms?!"

"Yes, with your poetic talent, I'm afraid you won't be accepted into the imperial examinations even if you go to Bianjing next year."

"In my opinion, it would be better for you to go home and farm as soon as possible to avoid embarrassment."

Zhao Han looked up and saw a young man in shabby clothes with his head lowered, surrounded by several candidates.
His lips moved as if he wanted to explain, but in the end no sound came out.

"What's your name? Are you here to get some free food and drinks?"

Facing the questioning from others, the young man clenched his fists and raised his eyes and said, "My last name is Bai Ye. Isn't it just a poem about plum blossoms? Give me some time, I can definitely finish it!"

When the young man said this, several candidates who relied on their outstanding poetic talent almost burst into laughter.

Bai Ye? !
Zhao Han looked at him carefully. He was not surprised that Gu Tingye suddenly appeared at the prefect's banquet.

In the play, Gu Tingye goes to the Bai family alone with Old Master Bai's suicide note to fight for the family property.

In addition to clinging to Yuan Jia Dalang's thigh, he was also betting that Sheng Hong and other officials in Yangzhou would give him face.

If you uphold justice for the legitimate son of the Marquis, you will surely be rewarded in the future.

What's more, he had the suicide note in his hand, so it was a legitimate matter and they were just taking advantage of it.

Otherwise, as a teenager of sixteen or seventeen, he was lucky not to be kicked out by the elders of the Bai family for causing a big commotion before the funeral. How could he possibly take back such a huge family business?
Now that he has no support from the Yuan family and no acquaintance with Sheng Changbai and Sheng Hong, he naturally has to think of other ways, and the prefect Zheng is a good target!

If they could ask for his help, the Bai family would never dare to act rashly.

Seeing Gu Tingye's depressed expression and frown, Zhao Han stepped forward and said, "Why don't I write this poem about plum blossoms for him?"

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(End of this chapter)